Funeral services were held on May 26, 2018, at Lime Springs United Methodist Church, with Pastor Paula Hemann officiating. Burial was in Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Lime Springs.

Maxine Ann Gragert was born Jan. 3, 1959, to Gerald and Marian (McKenzie) Gragert in Harmony, Minn. She graduated from Crestwood High School. On May 25, 1990, she married Walter “Al” Westphal at the Mower County Courthouse in Austin, Minn.

Max worked at Hormel in Austin for 31 years. She was most recently employed in the cafeteria at LeRoy-Ostrander School. She loved being around children. She spent her free time cooking, sharing recipes, camping, dancing, entertaining, reading and playing Farm Saga Heroes. She enjoyed the simple things in life, like a good cup of coffee or tea with a sweet dessert, watching birds, chatting on the phone and all sorts of plants and flowers. She recently transplanted some hostas at home.

She loved keeping up with her shows, such as Call the Midwife, Downton Abbey and This is Us. Max’s sense of humor and fashion will be greatly missed. She hated shopping, but she loved finding bargain outfits at Good Will. She could always light up a room with her laugh, smile and of course, all of her “blinged out” jewelry. She would brighten up your day with a joke or a big hug with a, “Hey girl, how’s it going?”

Max will be remembered for her strong faith, her beautiful curly hair and her deep love for her family, her home and her community.